Harris confronts Gaza war questions as book tour opens in New York City

New York — Former Vice President Kamala Harris opened her book tour in New York City on Wednesday night with a confrontation over the Gaza war. In a packed Town Hall at Times Square, she expressed compassion for Palestinians and condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for what she described as giving himself a blank check to act as he sees fit. "What’s happening to the Palestinian people is outrageous and it breaks my heart," she told a 1,500-person crowd after being interrupted by the first of four pro-Palestinian protesters. The event promoted her memoir, 107 Days, which recounts the rapid pace of her 2024 campaign after Joe Biden dropped out of the race.

Protesters outside crowded the sidewalk, and inside the audience a protester shouted from the hall, prompting Harris to call for calm: "Take the temperature down." She reaffirmed that as vice president she had spoken out about starvation in Gaza a year and a half ago, noting she had faced heat from the Biden White House for raising the issue. "The reality of it is where we are right now didn’t have to be this way — in terms of the blank check that this president has given."

Throughout the night, Harris pressed her critique of Trump, accusing the former president and his allies of stifling dissent and signaling a broader challenge for Democratic leadership. At one point, she said the Republican president and his allies are like "a communist dictatorship" for quashing dissent. The remark came as she urged the audience to focus on policy and the consequences of the Gaza war, not personal attacks.

Earlier in the day, Harris referenced her support for Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic New York City mayoral candidate who has also spoken out against the Gaza war. "You are bringing people in, and you are showing that there are voices that want to be heard, have felt left out and are now a part of what you are doing," she said, noting they spoke earlier in the day and that she was excited about his candidacy.

Outside the venue, activists protested on the sidewalk. Inside, the crowd offered mixed views. Valerie Lewis, 56, of New York City, said she’s hopeful the former vice president can unify a badly divided country and would love to see her run again. Her husband, Eugene Dixon, 65, said Harris would face a tough test winning broad support. "She can’t do it," Dixon said. "I don’t believe America is ready to have a woman president." Lewis rolled her eyes and countered that it would be harder for a woman to win. "It’s possible," she said.

Context around the Gaza war has framed much of the national debate. The conflict erupted after Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023 attack; Gaza’s Health Ministry has said more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war. Democratic activists have pressed leaders in both parties to push back harder to stop the bloodshed, arguing that U.S. policy should do more to limit civilian harm while supporting Israel’s security.

Ticketing and future plans also surfaced during the New York stop. Harris arrived flanked by federal agents and aides to promote her book. The Times Square venue, with a 1,500-person capacity, was initially slated for a single appearance, but a second show was added earlier in the evening because of high interest. Harris, who turns 61 next month, has not publicly outlined a next political move and has repeatedly declined to discuss possible runs for statewide office, including California governor.

The evening also included sharp language about Trump. The former president, who has repeatedly criticized Harris on social media, responded before the New York event, calling the ex-vice president "DUMB AS A ROCK" and labeling her claim about the 2024 election as "a total lie." His post did not address her Gaza remarks directly and invited an apology.

With the book released Tuesday, 107 Days, the narrative recounts the rapid, 107-day run that culminated in Harris's 2024 bid and her ongoing role in national politics. The remarks in New York came as Democrats wrestle with how to balance fierce domestic debates over Gaza, human rights, and the party’s broader direction ahead of upcoming elections. The event’s tone suggested a candidate who hopes to both tell a personal story of a lightning-fast campaign and frame a broader critique of leadership decisions that have shaped the war.

For many attendees, the moment highlighted the deep divisions over U.S. policy toward Israel and Gaza, and the broader challenge for Democratic leadership. Harris’s team described the stop as a sign of her willingness to engage with hard questions in a public forum, even as protest and partisan rhetoric envelop the evening. The book tour continues with additional appearances, as the ongoing war in Gaza remains a central, polarizing issue in U.S. politics.